Leaf-spring



c. J. QUICK.

LEAF SPRING.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-4| I919 3 w w m\ w N A m v Lear-seams.

1,348,4ldti.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 3, ieao.

Application filed August 4, 1919. Serial No. 315,070.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CLAUDE J. QUrGK, of Pulaski, in the county of Oswego, 1n the State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Leaf- Springs, of

which the following, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to certain improvements in leaf springs in which a plurality of leaves of gradually diminishing lengths are assembled in spaced relation w1th lnterposed roller bearings between them, arranged in such manner that each leaf may have a certain amount of individualreslllency independent of the others but 1s still able to transmit its resilient actlon to the remaining leaves.

The main object is to render the spring as a whole more readily responsive to varying loads and at the same time to reduce to a minimum the transmission of the vertical vibrations of the axle upon which it is mounted to the body of the vehicle under such varying loads.

In other words aside from the function of the rollers in reducing friction between the several leaves and squeaking incidental to such friction I have sought to impart a greater degree of resiliency to the spring as a whole without sacrificing its strength of load carryingcapacity.

Other objects anduses relating to specific parts of the spring will be brought out 111- the following description.

In the drawings Figures 1 and 2 are respectively a top plan and a side elevation of a leaf spring embodying various features of my invention.

Figs. 3 and 4 are enlarged longitudinal and transverse sectional views taken respectively on lines 33 and 1-4, Fig. 1.

As illustrated this spring comprises a series of leaves -1 of gradually diminishing length from top to bottom, the upper spring being the longer and arched downwardly at the center between the ends, the upper leaf being the longest and 1s provided at its ends with suitable eyes 2- for receiving shackles or other fastening devices by which the spring is attached to the body of the vehicle, the central portion. of the spring being supported upon an axle -3- and secured thereto by clips 4- shown by dotted lines in Fig. 2.

The several leaves of the spring are held in slightly spaced relation throughout their lengths by rollers 5 extending transversely between them from side to side and havmg theirends journaled in pendent lugs (5 which are preferably formed integral with the leaves, except the lower one, along the opposlte edges thereof in longitudinal spaced relation.

The lugs of each leaf are arranged in staggered relation to those of the next adjacent leaf so as not to interfere with each other in the resilient action of said leaves. These lugs -6 of each super osed leaf are of slightly greater vertical wldth or depth than the diameter of the rollers and overlap sl1ghtly upon the opposite edges of the next underlylng leaf thereby holding the leaves against lateral displacement, the lugs of each underlylng leaf, except the lowermost leaf, being registered with the spaces between the lugs of the next superposed leaf thus permittmg the portions of the leaves between the spaces to bear directly against the rollers which owing to the vertically spaced relation of the leaves allows the portions between the lugs at their points of engagement with the rollers to flux independently of each other to take the vertical vibrations of the axle when the wheels are passing over uneven road surfaces without transmitting those vibrations to the body, all of which contributes materially to the ease and come fort of the passengers in the body while at the same time the rollers permit the leaves to slide endwise relatively to each other with greater ease and freedom than would be possible if the leaves were in direct contact with each other.

A bolt --7 passing through registering openings in the longitudinal and transverse center of the several leaves serves to additionally hold them against relatively lateral or endwise displacement aided by a plurality of, in this instance, two clips 8 which embrace a series of leaves between. the central bolt -7- and eyes 2--.

An important feature of the invention lies in the fact that the several springs are spaced apart throughout their lengths a distance corresponding approximately to the diameter of the rollers which obviates the necessity for perforating or channeling the main bodies of the springs, the surfaces of which are practically continuous along well defined arcs or a circle throughout their lengths so tially flat steel without reducing their strength and individual resiliency, thus avoiding expensive and detrimental deformations and permitting the lugs 6 to act as reinforcements rather than to detract from the strength and resiliency of the leaves.

It will also be observed that the spring as a whole may be built up from the bottom by simply placing one leaf upon-another and afterward clamping together by the bolt 7 and clips 8--, it being understood that the blades may be inserted in the lugs of the respective leaves before assembling the latter one upon the other.

What I claim is z- 1. A spring comprising a series of leaves arranged one above the other in concentric arcs of a circle and in spaced relation vertically, each leaf above the lowermost leaf a plurality of lugs in 2. A vehicle spring comprising a series of leaves arranged in uniformly spaced relation one above the other, each leaf, except the one at the bottom, being provided with staggered relation to those of the next adjacent leaf and rollers extending transversely through the spaces between the leaves and journaled in the lugs of the next superposed leaf.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

CLAUDE J. QUICK. Witnesses BYRON SMITH,

JOHN E. ABBOTT. 

